EPCOT 2026 Flower and Garden Festival Preparations Underway as First Topiaries Arrive

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EPCOT's 2026 Flower and Garden Festival is taking shape - first look at the topiaries

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Posted: Thursday February 12, 2026 10:43am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The first topiaries for the 2026 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival are now in place around the park, with several character displays already installed ahead of the March 4 opening.

EPCOT's 2026 Flower and Garden Festival is taking shape - first look at the topiaries

Spotted so far across EPCOT are Bambi, Phineas and Ferb, Captain Hook and Peter Pan, and a set of pandas at the China Pavilion in World Showcase.

EPCOT's 2026 Flower and Garden Festival is taking shape - first look at the topiaries

Construction is also underway on the Butterfly Landing canopy near The Land pavilion.

EPCOT's 2026 Flower and Garden Festival is taking shape - first look at the topiaries

The large floral beds located between World Discovery and World Showcase are also planted, adding color to that stretch of the park well ahead of opening day.

EPCOT's 2026 Flower and Garden Festival is taking shape - first look at the topiaries

The 2026 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival runs March 4 through June 1, 2026. Disney has confirmed more than 60 character topiaries and 31 gardens and floral displays will appear throughout the park when the festival opens. More topiaries and displays are expected to go up in the coming weeks as preparations continue.

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DCBaker3 days ago

Disney has shared a new behind-the-scenes video showcasing the Walt Disney World Horticulture team bringing the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival to life during the recent cold snap: From the video: Go behind the scenes with the Walt Disney World Horticulture team as they prepare, protect, and plant thousands of blooms across EPCOT under record‑cold conditions. From safeguarding delicate plants against unexpected freezes to precision planting with dibble tools, this episode reveals the care, craftsmanship, and creativity behind one of EPCOT’s most beloved festivals. Watch The Teams: Carefully build and install iconic topiaries, including Figment, Cars, and Toy Story favorites Navigate last‑minute challenges at the UK Pavilion Welcome and release hundreds of butterflies in The Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth Take on a never‑before‑seen installation of a stunning dragon topiary lifted directly into the center of the China Pavilion pond Through long nights, cold mornings, and constant problem‑solving, these horticulture experts transform EPCOT into a vibrant springtime spectacle—no matter what the weather brings.

MisterPenguin6 days ago

Mossiaries? Chia Statuaries? Over the Topiaries?

Jambo Dad6 days ago

Thx for the info!

JAB6 days ago

I'd say they're somewhat in-between but closer to topiary than float. They do have wire frame and/or sculpted supports, but they are live plants that are still trimmed a bit and continue growing throughout the festival, requiring regular trimming and maintenance - unlike Rose Bowl floats which are cut flowers/plants that die after a few days.

TrainsOfDisney6 days ago

They are not traditional topiary. There are some actual Topiary at Epcot in the jumping fountain garden at the Imagination Pavilion. The characters are “wire frame topiary sculptures” Still in the topiary family so using that term isn’t “wrong” - but not the traditional or purist definition.

Jambo Dad6 days ago

That wasn’t even the reason I came to the comment section today. I was curious from those in the know whether these displays are really correctly called “topiary”. They are attractive and do have plants in them, but it doesn’t look like they are pruned and shaped to get their form. They feel more like Rose Bowl floats. I may be wrong - glad to be informed.

TrainsOfDisney6 days ago

Noah is absolutely sincere about his love for Disney and retro Disney music.

Jambo Dad6 days ago

Ok I started this sub-thread and admit to being a little torn. I was not familiar with Bob Moline so I love the call back. I like the presence of more traditional music. I was a little caught off guard the first time I watched the video. The presentation of the singer felt awkward and almost so deliberately retro I wasn’t sure if it was sincere. I think it’s the fake hair. So I have since come to just accept it and leave it alone.

TrainsOfDisney6 days ago

Ok. That’s your opinion. This is literally everything I want from Disney haha. Fun, quirky, based on nostalgia, etc.

JohnD6 days ago

My point exactly.

JohnD6 days ago

I didn't say otherwise. But it's so inside baseball that the dude is just cringe to me. Sorry, but he is.

JAB6 days ago

Oh it's definitely very inside baseball. It's nice they included the reference, though; but I can absolutely see how the wig might be very distracting for the 99.99% of viewers who don't get the reference.

TrainsOfDisney6 days ago

Isn’t that exactly what we want? All these little winks and nods to the history of Disney. Having locomotives named Roger Broggie and Ward Kimball is very inside baseball too.